Circuit-controlling device.



No. 635,3l9. Patented uct. 24, |899. J. HEmzE, 1n.

CIRCUl-T GONTBOLLING DEVICE.

(Application med may 2o, 1899.) (No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet l.

Tlf-4' 7'11 ATT ORNE X TH: NoRms PEYERs ca, PNoTu-Ln'no.. wAsmNoroN, n.c.

,1. HEmzE, 1a. CIRCUIT GUNTBOLLING DEVICE.

(Application filed May 20, 1899.)

(No Model.) '2 Sheets-Shet 2,

N0. 635,3I9. Patenied Oct. 24, |899.

ATTORNEY'.

UNITED STATES PATnNT Cerros.

vJOHN IIEINZE, JR., OF REVERE, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO TllE SIMPLEXELECTRICAL COMPANY, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

CIRCUIT-CONTROLLlNG UEVMEL.v

SPECIFICATIGN forming part of Letters Patent No. 635,319, dated October24, 1899. Application iiled May 20, 1899. Serial No. 717,544. (Nomodel.)

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN IIEINZE, Jr., a citizen of the United States ofAmerica, and a resident of Revere, county of Suffolk, and State ofMassachusetts, have invented certain newand usefulmprovements inCircuit-Controlling Devices, of which the following is a specilication.

This invention relates to circuit-controllin g devices for miscellaneouselectrical instru- Y ments, and is especially adapted to be used insituations where a compact and at the same time durable and safe deviceis required. This is useful as a separate contrivance adapted toattachment to electrical circuits and to electrically-heated tools orinstruments, and in particular to devices for accomplishing the closureof the electric circuit of which an electroheating resistance forms apart, with a view especially to automatic control of suchcircuit-closure.

Electric heating has been found to be of distinct advantage in the useof such tools as sad-irons, treeing-irons, soldering-irons, and the likefor the reason that the heat required can by the use of electricity begenerated at and applied to the spot or surface Where the heat isrequired, and can be almost instantaneously generated and asinstantaneously turned oi when not required. In the followingspecification I use for the illustration of my invention the descriptionof an electrically-heated sad-iron which serves well as a type ofelectrically-heated tools and of which the normal conditions of use arecharacteristic of most, if not all, of such devices. My invention,however, may be applied to other electrically-heated tools and willdemonstrate its utility wherever the use ofthe tool involves its beinggrasped in the hand of the workman and where the application of the toolto its work is irregular and intermittent. In the use of theelectrically-heated sad-iron, which I take for my example, thecontinuous application of the electrically-generated heat iseconomically inconsistent with the intermittent use of the tool, andunless the user is careful to place the iron upon a properly-constructedstand during the intermissions in its use the constant generation ofheat becomes a source of danger, because if the tool is al lowed to restupon the cloth to be ironed or upon any other destructible surface theconlinement of the constantly-generated hea quickly raises thetemperature to a point where the substance on which the iron rests willbe charred or burned and even to the point where 'the electroresistanceitself is in danger of being destroyed. aims at the avoidance of suchdestructive conditions and also increases the economy with which thetool can be used.

In the drawings, wherein like letters are used to designate like parts,Figure lis a view, partlyin longitudinal section, of the handle of anelectrically-heated instrument with thecircuit-controllerinclosed-circuitposition. Fig. 3 shows the device ofFig. l with the circuitcontroller in open-circuit position and mountedupon an electrically-heated smoothingiron, which, with its heatingresistance, is conventionally depicted. Fig. 3 is a view, partly inlongitudinal section, of a snap-switch similarin construction to thatshown as part of the device of Figs. l and 2. Figdis a detail, partly insection, of Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a longitudinal elevation of the switchshown in Fig. 3, the switch in this instance being in open-circuitposition. of Fig. 5. Fig. 7 is a plan view, in part section, of Fig. 5.Fig. 8 is a cross-section of Fig. 7 at the line l l. Fig. i) is asection of Fig. 7' at the line 2 2. Fig. l0 is a cross-section of 7 atthe line 3 3; and Fig. ll, a cross-section at the line y-ll of Fig. '7,all these sections being viewed from the right-hand end of Fig. 7.

In Fig. 2 the body of the tool to be heated (marked B) contains theresistance R, which is conventionally depicted, but which may be anyeliieient and commercially acceptable heat-resistance-such as, forinstance, the well-known enameled resistance-in which theresisting-conductor is embedded in and protected by a coating of enameladhesively applied to the heat-conducting body. The wires izo and w2serve for the introduction of the electric current to the resistance R,and the leading wires 1U and to2 serve to conduct the current from thesource of supply. The

resistance R is not constantly included in a closed circuit, but theclosure of the resist- This invention Fig. G is a detail, partly insection,

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ance-circuit is controlled by a circuit-closing switch which is carriedby the tool itself.

A convenient manner of arranging the circuit-controlling devices in asad-iron is illustrated in the drawings.

The handle H, which is secured in the ordinary position upon arms E E',which are part of or secured to the body B of the iron, is madelongitudinally hollow, so as to afford space within for the internaloperative parts of the circuit-controlling devices. Contactterminals cc2, separated and insulated from each other, are connected,respectively, to external binding-posts c5 c4. rihe wire tu connects oneend of the resistance It with the contact-terminal c2. The wire "L02connects the other end of said resistance with the source of supply ofthe electric current. rPhe current, were it not for the separation ofthe terminals c c2, would pass from the wire w through post c, terminalsc' c2, post c4, wire fw, resistance R, and wire 202.

The closure of the above-described circuit is effected by the electricaljuncture of the contact-terminals c ci. rlhis is accomplished by meansof a circuit-controlling` switch located within the shell of the handleH. The construction and operation of the circuit-controlling switch areas follows: A resilient circuit closer consisting of a double leafedspring c3 is secured to and carried by the rod P, from which thecircuit-closer cS is insulated by suitable insulating material at t'.The circuit-closer carrier P slides freely in the tubular switch-slideP, which passes through the opening E2 in the handle-arm E andterminates in a rounded end S2, which may be provided with a roller Aframe F within the handle H serves as a guide for the switchcontrollerand its associated parts. The tubular slide P is slotted at K, andwithin or under the slot K the rod P is provided with an enlargement d.The rod P and tubular slide P are yieldingly connected together by aspiral spring S, which lies within the tubular portion of theswitch-slide P and is secured at one end to the pin s', which passesthrough the slide P, and at the other end to a hole s2 in the inner endof rod P. The spring S being fastened at both ends is thus capable ofacting either in compression or tension, according to the relativepositions of the rod P and slide P. The frame er carrier F is providedwith bridges t 77,2, which serve as guides for rod P and slide P,respectively. Pivoted upon the bridge 7L there is a detent D, whichhangs over the slot K in operative relationship with the enlargement d.A leafspring (Z, secured to 'the detent D, presses against the innersurface of handle 1l and urges the detent D into coactive relationshipwith the enlargement CZ. The two part-s P and P constitute a sectionalrod whereof the two sections are connected by a spring, so that movementof one section of the rod in either direction 'from a position of restcompresses or extends the spring from its inert condition. As the othersection of the redis temporarily held from movement by the detent, themoving section puts a load on the spring and constitutes aspring-loader. At the ends of the slot K are inclined cam-surfaces t L2,which when the slide P is moved to either of its extreme positions liftthe detent D out of engagement with the enlargement cl', thus releasingthe rod P from restraint and permitting the spring S to move the rod Pin the direction in which the spring S happens to be exerting its force.The enlargement d constitutes a catch for the detent D. The sectionalrod thus acts somewhat like a spring-gun. The section P,which serves asa base-piece from which the spring S exerts its force on the section P,acts `Iirst as a spring-loader, loading the spring until the detent,acting as a trigger, lets olf the spring and shoots the section P in onedirection or the other. @oiled around the outside of the slide P' is themaster-spring S, which abuts against the bridge 7b2 at one end and theprojecting ends of the pin s at the other end and is always incompression, so that if left to itself the master-spring S will forcethe slide P to its extreme outer position.

rPhe circuit-controlling switch, which in the instance described iscomposed of the contactmaker c3, rod P, and switch-slide P and theirassociated parts, is externally controlled by a switch-controller which,generally speaking, has this character: 1t controls thecircuit-controlling switch by any suitable connection and is movabletoward and from the handle of the electrically-heated tool, and itsrelationship with the switch is such that when the switch is open theswitch-controller occupies a position in which it constitutes ainaterial obstacle to the normal grasping of the tool-handle by theperson who is to use the tool, and, further, when the switch under thecontrol of the switch-controller is in a position of closed circuit theswitch-controller has moved into a position where it no longerconstitutes such an obstacle. More particularly stated, theswitch-controller, when the switch under its control is in open-circuitposition, forms an excrescence from the handle of the tool, and when theswitch under control is moved to closed position the switch-controllermoves to a position where it practically merges with the handle,and thus offers no impediment to the normal grasping of the handle itself. Theutility of such an arrangement lies in the fact that when the workmangrasps the tool by that act he moves the switch-controller to theposition of circuit-closure, and in order to have the switch-controllermove automatically to the position of open circuit it is only necessaryto provide means whereby the normal position of the switch and itscontroller shall be that of open circuit. This may be accomplished invarious ways. The specific mode shown in connection with the sad-ironherein described involves the use of the inaster-spring S.

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The operation of the circuit-closing switch and switclrcontroller isillust 'ated as follows: In Fig. l the switch is shown in position ofcircuit-closure, the spring c3 joins the terminals c c2 electrically,and the heating-resistance circuit is closed and in operation. Underthese conditions the hand of the workman grasps and encirclcs the handleH, and thus holds the switch-controller A close to the handle H. Theswitch-controller is mounted on the tool, in this case pivotcd at A tothe handle-arm E or an extension thereof. From the pivot A' theswitch-controller rises in a curve over the end of the handle li andlies close to the top of the handle and so far as the workmans hand isconcerned is practically a part of or merged in the handle Il itself. Inthis position the outer end L@of the switch-slide P abuts against thecurved portion of the switch-controller A, which under the workmans handholds the switch-slide P in its extreme inner position, thus compressingthe master-spring S between the bridges h2 and pin s. The rod P, withthe circuitclosing' spring c3 attached, rests in the position shown inFig. l, the'spring S being substantially inert. Now suppose the workmanlets go the tool or sets it aside. Instantly the master-spring S, whichis strong enough to overcome the opposing force of the spring S, forcesthe switch-controller up and away from the handle H and extends thespring S', the rod P being temporarily held in position by thecooperation of the lug d and detent D. il/hen, however, themaster-spring S forces the switch-slide P to its extreme outer position,carrying the switch-controller A with it, the cam-surface t at the endof the slot K passes under the hook N ot detent D and lifts it away fromenlargement d', releasing1 the rod P. At this moment the spring S is inextreme tension and instantly jerks the rod P out ot' the position ofcircuit-closure, removing the spring-contact cs from between 'the moreinert.

terminals c c2. This action restores the parts to a position oi' rest,the spring S being once /Vith the parts in this position theswitch-controller A is designed and proportioned to stand above thehandle Unna-king an angle oi' from forty-iive to sixty degreestherewith, so that it constitutes an awkward obstacle which must beremoved before the hand of the workman can again conveniently grasp thetool-handle. In the case of the sadiron it is well to attach theswitch-controller near the butt-end ottheiron,as in that position itoters a `greater impcdi ment to normal grasping of the handle. rlheangle at which the switch-controller stands is determined by the 'footA2, which serves as a stop by striking against the handle-arm E. W'earand vfriction may be saved by placing the roller S3 in the end of theslide P. When the workman picks up the tool again, he naturally pressesdown the switch-controller A,until by merging with the handle H itceases to be an obstacle to the normal grasping of the tool-handle. By

this movement the following operations are madeto take place. First, theswitch-slide P moves inward against the pressure of masterspring S, andthe detent D falls in front of enlargement d, which is thus arrested.Further movcment of slide P compresses the spring S, the rod P beingheld by the detent D. rPlien the cam-surface 7a2 passes under the detentD, lifts it, and releases the enlargement d and rod P, which instantlyresponding to the force of spring S', now in extreme compression, jumpsforward into the position of circuit-closure with contact-springs c3,between the terminals c These abrupt movements of thecircuit-controlling switch int'o and ont of the position ofcircuit-closure prevent undue sparking and burning at the contacts c ande2.

Vlith such a ccntrivance as the above-described, to whatever tool it maybe applied, the application of electrically-generated heat is effectedwith economyand certainty and the current is consumed only when it isneeded and is automatically cut off when it is not needed, all withoutrequiring any thought or attention on the part of the workman.

3 to ll, inclusive, show a modification of the circuit-controllingswitch above described in connection with an electricallyheated tool,and in general the description addressed to the circuit-controller inFigs. l and 2 applies to that of Figs. S to ll, inclusive. .in theseIigures, however, the circuitcontrolling switch is shown without anyinaster-spring, which, as in Figs. l and 2, normally controls theoperation of the circuitcontroller and automatically opens the circuitwhenever the attention of the operator is withdrawn; but, if desired,the switch shown in Figs. 3 'to ll, inclusive, may be provided with a master-spring operating between the pin s and the bridge h2 of the frameF. ln Figs. and 5 the prolongation of the slide P is VFitted with a knober handle M, by which it may be positively operated.

A switch constructed like that of Figs. 3 to ll, inclusive, can veryreadily be inserted in the woodwork or wall of a dwelling, leavingnothing exposed except the knob M, whichl lends itself readily toornamentation. The whole device takes up a minimum amount of room, andthe movements of the circuit-closing portion require a very small spaceas compared with ordinary forms of jack-knife snap-switches. Theemployment of such a circuit-controller may be given an added advantageby supplying to the device in Figs. and 5 a master-spring such as thatwhich controls the switch of Figs. l and 2. For instance, a licht in acloset or vault which is used only momentarily may be put in circuitwith such a switch, so that the instant the person requiring the lightwithdraws the master-spring automatically breaks the circuit andextinguishes the light, thus saving the wasteful expenditure of energywithout requirin g any thought on the part ot' the user.

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I claiml. An electric switch consisting of a sectional rod movablelengthwise, the two sections of said rod joined together by a springwhich is normally inert, one section of said rod being thecircuit-closer carrier, the other section being the actuating-slide, adetent coacting with the circuit closer carrier and adapted to restrainthe latter from movement in response to movement ot' the slide andspring, a detent-release controlled by the movement of the slide andadapted to remove the detent from coaction with the circuitclosercarrier when the actuating-slide reaches an extreme position of itslengthwise movement and thus to release the spring from constraint andpermit it to act on the circuitcloser carrier, and circuit-terminals inposition to coact with the circuit-closer at one extreme of itsmovement.

2. In an electric switch, the combination of circuit-terminals, acircuit-closer adapted to connect the terminals, a rod carrying thecircuit-closer, a slide, a spring connecting the rod and slide and somounted and proportioned as to exert effort in the direction of thelength of the rod, the slide being movable to a position of springcompression in one direction and of spring tension in another direction,a detent adapted to hold the rod temn porarily against response tospring effort in either direction, a detent-release controlled by theslide and cooperating with the detent so as to release the rod atpredetermined points in the movement of the slide, and thus to permitthe spring to exert its force actively on the rod.

3. In an electric switch, the combination of circuit-terminals, acircuit-closer adapted to connect the terminals, a rodcarrying thecircuit-closer, a slide, a spring connecting the rod and slide and somounted and proportioned as to exert effort in the direction of thelength of the rod, the slide being movable to a position of springcompression in one direction and of spring tension in another direction,a master-spring, of strength greater than that of the spring connectingthe rod and slide, attached to the slide and normally urging the slidein one direction, a detent adapted to hold the rod temporarily againstresponse to spring effort in either direction, a detent-releasecontrolled by the slide and cooperating with the detent so as to releasethe rod at predeter mined points in the movement of the slide,

esame and thus to permit the spring to exert its force actively on therod.

ei. ln an electrically-heated tool a handle provided with a longitudinalcavity, a snapswitch in said cavity composed of circuit-terminals, acircuit-closer adapted to connect the terminals, a rod carrying thecircuitcloser, a spring attached to said rod and to a slide paralleltherewith, said spring being so proportioned and secured as to exerteffort in the direction of the length of the rod, the slide beingmovable to a position of spring compression in one direction and springtension in the other direction, a detent adapted to hold the rodtemporarily against response to spring effort in either direction, adetentrelease controlled by the slide and so arranged as to cooperatewith the detent and release the rod at predetermined points in themovement of the slide and permit the spring which joins the rod andslide to exert its force actively on the rod, and means, external to thetoolhandle, whereby the slide is operated.

5. ln an electrically-heated tool a handle provided with a longitudinalcavity, a snapswitch in said cavity composed of circuit-terminals, acircuit-closer adapted to connect the terminals, a rod carrying thecircuitcloser, a spring attached to said rod and to a slide paralleltherewith, said spring being so proportioned and secured as to exerteffort in the direction of the length of the rod, the slide beingmovable to a position of spring compression in one direction and ofspring tension in the other direction,a master-sprin g, of a strengthgreater than that of the spring attached to the rod, secured to theslide and tool-handle so as to urge the slide normally in one direction,a detent adapted to hold the rod temporarily against response to springeffort in either direction, a detent-release controlled by the slide andso arranged as to cooperate with the detent and release the rod atpredetermined points in the movement of the slide and permit the springwhich joins the rod and slide to exert its Vforce actively on the rod,and means, external to the tool.- handle whereby the slide is operated.

Signed by me at Boston, Massachusetts, th is 16th day of May, 1899.

JOHN HEINZE, J 1t.

Witnesses:

ODIN l. Ronnn'rs,

F. GnoLL.

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